Buffalo Rising Online

Huzzah!

Pundit, Oh come on! The comments that BRO is talking about had nothing to do with any conversation or debate. BRO is not scared of debate. The arrogant hateful nonsense that these guys have been posting has been ruining the conversation.

I agree on removing obviously off-topic baiting posts. Dictator will not work, but either does total anarchy in any environment.

You can see the posters that drop in the same childish hot buttons even if they have nothing to do with topic being dicussed. It is true that topics are fluid but someone dumping boulders into the flow just to divert it has gotten out of hand. I wish more people would just ignore the crap so it would 1) go away on its own, or 2) have the same handfull of childish people conversing amongst themselves in every thread. Some of them actually appear rather intelligent and succesful which makes you wonder why they feel the need to act the way they do.

Most of the time, an average joe can see when someone is honeslty trying to add to the conversation and when they are just trying to be an immature bully/trouble maker. There are some others that seem to have some good intentions in their constant hijacking, but hopefully some warnings would help that out.

Of coarse some will see this as the "end of the world". I doubt it will be such. If it is, then BRO will die. Perhaps it will grow? The market will dictate.

Most of the top learning institutions have very open and free forums of discussions in the classroom about the topics at hand. Though I doubt they would allow the free for all that happens here that degrades every conversation.

It sux that it has to come to this but I totally agree that this is the only way to stop these losers...

Adios BTD...Pundit will have you drop your nonsense over at his site for a juicy discussion on race, sex and cars.

It is a shame that BRO must move in this direction.. I don't blame them I guess it just is a shame that some people can't find the patience or tolerance to keep civil.

Better yet I cant wait for this loser to get booted!

Many of your readers have no problem with occasional colorful language such as obscenities or "over-use of the verb in caps" (whatever that verb might've been) as a harmless trade-off for wider diversity of comments brought by BTD, etc.

BTD: You have two strikes today. Both of them were for obscenities. One was over-use of the verb in caps. The other describing a sex act.

MJ hit on the key point here:

some will see this as the "end of the world". I doubt it will be such. If it is, then BRO will die. Perhaps it will grow? The market will dictate.

The policy change you're planning is making a guess that the number of people who avoid the site due to it's current comments exceeds the number who are drawn to the site at least in part because of the more open dialogue and diversity. There's a chance that guess is wrong, in which case your ads will be seen by fewer people over time. What you should want to do from a business perspective of course is to attract both groups.

You might want to consider that a smarter business decision (maximizing clicks and eyeballs) could be to have two versions. Leave this one as-is, and it'd be very easily technically feasible to set up a buffalorising-filtered.com that would automatically output the same content minus any comments not meeting the additional restrictions you described above. Or the other way around - buffalorising.com could be the more restrictive editing policy and buffalorising-unplugged.com would be current way. Either way, I'd bet the non-filtered version would draw a LOT more clicks and eyeballs.

A note at top of each page would inform readers of the other option and provide the other URL with a convenient link to it. Once people know, then they'd just go to version they prefer. Avoid User feature would still be available in both versions, allowing even more customized control. Other than setting up the second URL, it wouldn't be any additional continuing effort beyond what you say you're planning anyway.

very often the articles are poorly written and the prescribed topics are dull when a much more interesting topic emerges out of a few sharp and disruptive comments.

Very often a great conversation is blunted by dull witted off topic comments by a very few commenters who's only aim is to hijack the thread to call attention to themselves.

buffalopundit: "Troll-bation is something of which I've never heard. Also, I have an immunity to iocane powder."

who are you, the comic book store guy from the simpsons?

I think we will see what conversations look like shortly. A dissenting point of view is much different than the kid in the back of the class acting like a clown looking for attention and disrupting everything when the peanut gallery then has to jump in.

I think there is a big distinction bewtween a dissenting opnion and that which is being targeted for editing.

and these, are the days of our lives.

I think that all of this commenting, debating, insulting, and now on to debating about commenting is an unfortunate waste of time. Does anyone here see that history is repeating itself? We are our own worst enemy.

And we wonder why nothing good ever happens in Buffalo.

Kudos to BRO for trying to keep it above the board when others couldn't. I was floored when reading "those" comments that anyone think they were appropriate for this forum. Freedom of speech was inteded to permit discourse or an open exchange of ideas in a free community. It does not give you free reign to say whatever you like and tell others to deal with it. My rights don't give me the "right" to trample on others and put them down.

I would have no problem having my e-mail validated prior to being allowed to post if that meant that this community discussion could be used as a great way for concerned, happy, or frustrated people interested in our city to share ideas openly. That is the purpose of free speach, journalism and our intended Constitutional rights.

I don't pay close attention to BRO anymore, but not just because of the stupid vulgarity of some of the postings. That was annoying but it never ruffled me, even when I was mocked for having a different point of view or for where I live. I found the coarseness and obscenity of a few less worrisome than the herdthink here, and the belittling of different points of view by the non-vulgar posters.

But I understand the decision. At the same time, I respectfully urge better writing and editing (and proofreading), more discernment about the subjects and tone of articles, and a bit more neutrality about certain projects or issues.

Bad idea. I usually ascribe to the notion that if I don't care for something I'm reading I move along, the same as is often said with TV or radio stations...change the channel. Granted, a lot of posts devolve into absurdity but a greater number lead to a fecundity that you simply can't get anywhere else. Too often what is perceived as negative points of view are in actuality constructive criticism, ya some are genuinely negative. So if the desrie is to create a legion of BRO Yes Men & Women, I think you'll find readership down. No offense, but many times the responses are better than the articles.

Pundit,

The problem is not the one-off comment here and there. Recently, comment threads have been taken over by malicious posters. One recent WCP comment section was pretty much taken over by one poster writing racist and unsubstantiated drivel. None of the posts being deleted and discussed have been written in the spirit of debate and exchange of information.

Why does everyone always try to miss the point of BRO article posts! Comment if you have a comment to add (about the article - may seems obvious, but oft lost in this crowd). Get your own dern website if you feel the need quit your A.D.D. meds and rant uncontrollably like a cranked-up 12 year-old tourette case study.

Oh, FYI - newspapers (the original land of journalists) get 100s of letters (i.e. "posts" for those of you who have never actually felt the cool damp of newsprint) each day. Those fascists print less than a dozen a day.

My favorite cry is the freedom of speech. You are posting on a privately run site. Where does freedom of speech come into play? You are free to create your own site and state your opinions etc. Double post your BRO responses on your own blog to show what important information big bad BRO is editing.

Where's the crime in asking and then enforcing an on topic conversation? It is their site. Start AnarchyBuffaloSinking.com and watch your servers crash over the massive influx of people looking for perpetual Zuba and Sabres jokes, two sentance generic slams, off topic posts to carry over old post arguments or 15 post long inside jokes. There is a multitude of places to comment on the internet. Why does everyone have to accept every single comment regardless of its relevance or intent?

I've been part of too many forums that start out with a nice core of people interested in the topic at hand. They will never all agree but their passion on the subject shows and thus they are respected. After the site starts to grow you are bound to start to get the attantion whores that are there to stir things up and then start to cry about free speech when you ask them for some behavior that we ask of our grade school children.

I think we all want to see passion here, be it pro or con to the subject at hand. I've had some nice back and forth diasagreements here with some posters without it degrading to name calling or personal attacks. Clean up the crap. There is no reason that a majority of threads need to be filled with the same off topic crap.

What about a grave yard thread where off topic posts can be moved to appease the "freedom of speech protectors"? Then all the debate on "why was this deleted" etc could be in one spot. Or could a jump be created in the thread? As in all off-topic posts would still be in the thread but moved to an area below the "what do you think" and "related articles". Then the "all important information" would still around.

It's a shame that we can not control oursleves, but we are human so it is to be expected.

I also forgot to add that the "moderating police" also emerge to question every single edit or non-edit in the spirit of trying to completely understand the policy. Hence the possible "grave yard thread" for the important debating of such.

BTD - You are 80% of the problem on this site, with your silly verbal attacks and empty threats of violence. You are just a scared little insecure man. What would you do to keep yourself busy at 1:00 in the morning if you couldn't post several dozen comments under several names? You like the reaction, it obviously gives you some sort of enjoyment in your otherwise empty life.

You take your anonymous shots at Elena, Newell, or anyone else who posts here. Do you have the testicular fortitude to put yourself out there like they do? Do you have what it takes to open yourself up to that level of criticism, after all they put their names and reputations on the line for an anonymous worm like you to bash without any recourse. You find it funny, but we see right through you. You couldn't do what they do if you tried, so you mock them for being more successful and more famous than you.

I agree that you aren't anti-buffalo, and you aren't pro-buffalo, in fact you really aren't much of anything. You are the worst type of bully, one who hits, then runs and hides. You wouldn't say a fraction of what you post here if you had to put your name on it, so cut some slack to those who are brave enough to put their names on their articles.

All I can say is Thank You! The obnoxious comments, extreme negativity, personal attacks, etc all seem to be from the same small group. I'll certainly read more often when they are gone. Good riddance.

I'm glad this is finally happening. I've resisted many times the urge to vent my frustrations at what has become a stage for some people to show how clever they are at bashing everyone. At first I must say that I was a bit leary at the thought of censoring any postings but as I read the comments to this story, some of the offenders seem to have made a case against themselves...just look at some of the immaturity abound in these posts. No need to call anyone out by name. It's obvious who the offenders are and have been.

Good riddance. Now let's get back to enjoying the articles (I could care less who they are written by) and enjoying some healthy debate about them and offering constructive criticism and comments.

I've always said about BuffaloRising...you could announce that Microsoft is moving their worldheadquarters to Buffalo, creating 10,000 jobs of $100K or more...and the same old BuffaloRising people would just complain and go off on their own tangents.

Hey JohnMartin...if you say the BRO staff is unsuccessful, then you must throw yourself into the "miserable" category...cause that's all your posts reveal.

This is a very slippery slope as al alo said. This is a self policed community (Avoid User), and people are respected based upon their contributions. Some people here I may not respect due to their empty remarks towards others. But the fact remains, they can post what they wish, knowing full well the consequences. I can understand editing comments with racial slurs or threats, but language and other things is a path that the poster can chose. Most of the people who read BR are anywhere from being in High School or Retirement. I don't think our virgin ears will be pierced by hearing someone shout $*&% that! From a business standpoint, bad move. It's all about the clicks, and you're making an assumption (I believe someone said this earlier) that you're catering to a larger crowd than you're losing.

I fully support BR, and have defended writers from blatent disrespect. But that's the internet. This is an online community of people who should know what to expect. Put a warning on your registrar if you must that this is a PG-13ish website.

I can see this going bad, let's hope for the best here and not over censor things.

Perry - great point.

you could announce that Microsoft is moving their worldheadquarters to Buffalo, creating 10,000 jobs of $100K or more...and the same old BuffaloRising people would just complain and go off on their own tangents

Your're right, the same old usual suspects here would complain if Microsoft didn't build right up to the street with 1st floor retail and upstairs residential, or if they had too much surface parking and curb cuts enabling the car culture. Not to mention their carbon footprint, and of course them not being locally owned. And if they put their new headquarters in Amherst...

Moderation is essential to any successful online discussion forum. Too many forums become cesspools of trolls and flames, while those forums and sites which can effectively manage user-generated content (ie, message board posts) tend to be much more successful.

It is really quite a shame to see some of the comments here, but it's not surprising. You'll see virtually the same type of comments made on any other forum about any other subject. Cars, sports, video games, computers, politics, etc. all have their trolls. From a moderation standpoint, it's best to eliminate them as quickly as possible. Ban them by username and IP as soon as they show up, and delete their posts. Do not allow them to establish a reputation or gain a following.

What would make me happiest would be if the community was large enough to be self-policing, for instance somewhere like slashdot or plastic.com. People vote for or against comments (like the stars we have in place) and then users can choose their browsing level. They could choose to only see 5-star comments, or any custom level, including seeing it all, including the nasty stuff down in one-star comments.

Unfortunately, I don't think enough people who want to see real discussion and debate are involved enough in this online community to make it feasible at this point in time.

In any case, I think this moderation is long overdue and will foster civil debate. It'd be nice to see someone complain and be able to pull it off without resorting to namecalling and vulgarity to illustrate a point.

No, ChocolateShake, moderation based on content does not appear to be the objective, only moderation based on presentation. Criticism and disagreement, when presented in a mature manner would be welcome, and if you are interested in serious debate, good moderation is quite important.

This is a good move, in my view, and I think those most affected by it are those who did the most to make it inevitable. As many have pointed out in previous discussions of this, other blogs and forums (such as the blogs hosted by the fishwrapper in My Fair City) have similar decency policies and occasionally have to take the step of banning the recalcitrant - as it's their forum, they have the right. Frankly, I think Elena and Newell aren't getting the credit they deserve for being so tolerant for so long - trying anything and everything short of strict enforcement.

I came face-to-face with the issue last year: after posting a comment that I would never patronize Pano's (and that many of my Buffalo friends feel the same way) I was a flame target of those who told me I was a piece of crap, and to stay out of Buffalo. More recently, I've seen others find themselves consistent targets of attempts to intimidate, and even seen several direct threats of physical harm.

In reality, that's what this is about - can't really see that Newell and Elena had much choice (and they've given plenty of fair warning) - despite any attempt (even by those whose work I respect) to recast this as a 'freedom of dissent' issue. Over the last several years (as described in the George Johnson online article mentioned earlier) BRO has, in fact, become a significant Buffalo institution - I was delighted to see it figure in Mark Goldman's most recent book - and the folks who run it have, and will have, the difficult responsibility of acting accordingly. I think this policy is a sign of positive things to come - and look forward to 2008 being a banner year for BRO, Buffalo, and all our upstate communities.

BTD - I take no issues with anyone's different point of view, it was the threats of violence against me, my family, and my girlfriend that pissed me off. Something about dragging me around by my eyesockets that made me want to push your buttons. I might just meet you a Filippos tonight, my name is Mark and I can guarantee that you won't miss me. I stand out as a definite minority every time I eat at Filippos, and you can recognize me by my gold rolex, or you can just look for the 6'5" 300 lb African American gentleman in the leather coat and my beautiful girlfriend on my arm. Introduce yourself and I may just buy you a drink. I have never found the need to express my thoughts through violent actions and I am not about to make an exception here. You may have a different point of view though, and I will respect that and reply accordingly. If I don't make it tonight it is because my girlfriend wasn't interested in Italian or we decided to stay in because I will be gone for the rest of the week. Either way, I hope you find balance and fulfillment in your life. Peace little man, peace!

JohnMartin, the issue is not disagreement, it is trolling. There is a substantive difference between pointing out why a project is flawed, or some other legitimate criticism and making constant racist posts or simply insulting people.

ECB --- Thank you for finally posting up a very important fact that has been happening on this site. Since I have been reading and following BRO since June, the quality of comments has declined. Hopefully this will increase the quality of comments, minus the slams on race, etc... etc...

al-alo - It would be great to have a BRO party, which I fully intend on going to. It should be at Casa-di-Pizza, Pearl St or somewhere a bit more reasonable, agreed. It would be great to meet to meet some others who also love Buffalo and want to help to make it a better place to live, work and play.

Personally, I fully intend on continuing my efforts to also make Buffalo a better place.

J. Hall

I agree this place has gone to the trolls if some dont see it then they are free to disagree but lets face it you would have to be friggin blind! While im not sure this is even possible a better idea in my opinion would be to have a "dump bin" set up so that off topic or slightly inappropriate posts can be sent there and that readers who wish to click on the "dump bin" can do so if they want to see items that have been dumped for a particular topic. Obviously racist,inflamatory,hatred could just be deleted as it is now. This would give the readers who are sick of reading the petty poster to poster arguments a way to read relavant posts without having the site have the feeling of big brother controlling what we see. While i would rather see the changes suggested take place rather than no change at all.....i fear that if evrything becomes to nice than ill just feel that the sight is strictly promotion without true dialouge. At least if its in the dump bin i can go diving for the trash where ther is sometimes some good bits of truth.

Well said Marilyn

I stopped sharing links to BRO a long time ago because the comments were so embarassingly stupid. I wished there was a way to just link to the article without the comments below. I welcome the long overdue effort to cleanup the site, but having an article-only link would still be desirable I think...

I'm not meaning to poke, Elena, I have the highest respect for you. But what I mean by a slippery slope is already being shown in this thread. Al Alo's comment about removing the anonymous element evolved into a BRO pizza party at the Caz. All things considered, couldn't that be looked at as off topic to our subject?

That's the problem you may run into later, and theres no going back.

It might be time to restructure the site to have a real forum, rather than just comments attached to an article. This would make dealing with off-topic, but nonetheless constructive discussions easier, as one could simply start a new thread in the appropriate forum to continue the discussion.

Articles, when posted, could automatically create an associated thread, but would still be addressable separate from the associated thread.

Not to get off topic, but how about that weather today?

it's gonna be a windy one tomorrow

WHAT A THREAD!

Now this is the Buffalo I know and love. There is a middle ground. The reality is that some posts are too negative and crude. On the flip side, some of the optimism is simply not warranted and ignorant.

FACT:

I shopped for commercial real estate downtown all afternoon to compare to Amherst. I am looking for a small to medium size space and I am willing to spend 2500-3000/month for my business. Not a storefront.

Looking around at all the vacant buildings and caliber of foot traffic, one would have to think twice before they risked their hard earned dollars in downtown Buffalo. No matter how much loyalty I have to this city, it is simply not a good place to conduct business, and that frustrates some of us to no end. You can refer to us as business people.

Once again, real life problems require real life solutions. At times, shock value is the only way to get through to people who do not understand that some of the issues discussed on this site are, in fact, the reason that Buffalo is falling further behind.

My name is Paul and I welcome your suggestions!

yes, that was an easy layup... courtesy of "the Mailman"...thanks Carl

I think Chocolate Shake needs to clean the fuzz of the needle....

Goustad,

Fact: Listening to you and your friends such as Nonono one would imagine that there is absolutely nothing of value in Buffalo. Why does it bother you so if BRO attempts to point out valuable things or the actions of people attempting to bring the city back to the kind of place it should be? BRO is not here to report crimes and house fires. Channel seven does a great job with that. Why is your criticism so often rooted in verbal assaults misinformation and insult. The writers on BRO that I know welcome constructive criticism but the gang style tactics that I have witnessed on here lately are far from constructive and end up being quite boring.

Fact: BRO does not post only pro puff pieces. I would say that most of my posts are geared toward showing unrealized potential in the city. Hardly puffery. By the way most of my stories have focused on places other than the Elmwood neighborhood. But so what if they were 100% Elmwood centric. Why should that bother you? If you have something to say about other parts of the city why not send in a story. It is so easy to throw a bomb into a conversation. Why not go out and get a story. I recently posted a story about a simple little green building that I find interesting. The first poster pointed out that the building was for sale (great information) Nonono then posts suggesting (falsely) and with no substantiation that I posted the piece as an add for the seller. His next post was about Jesus' penis and his final post was a defense of his action after one of his inane writings was deleted. None of these had any legitimate relationship to the story. In between Wizardofza suggests that the section of Franklin that the building sits on would make a great red-light district. None of this added anything to the conversation. All of it for what purpose? This is a small sample of what your gang has been up to. Certainly none of it was legitimate criticism of the original post. By the way no one at BRO has very suggested a story or directed me to write a story nor have they ever censored anything I chose to write

Fact: There are good things about Buffalo. There are good people in the city doing good things. There is great potential and there are major problems to solve. That is what BRO reports on. Why don't you join in instead of trying to tear down? If you think there is no reason to report anything good about Buffalo I suggest that you perhaps go to another site and perhaps think about moving someplace else. BRO and Buffalo are not for you in that case.

Goustad

By the way I am not suggesting that you can not criticize the city. I am not saying take it or leave it. I am just saying that you sound very unhappy and perhaps would be more fulfilled someplace else.

Goustad, Fact: Listening to you and your friends such as Nonono one would imagine that there is absolutely nothing of value in Buffalo. ...

That's what passes for 'fact' according to an esteemed BR article writer???? Wow, what's the definition of 'opinion' ?

Actually you are right I should have said one "could imagine" rather than "would imagine" That would be fact rather than opinion in that these commenters never post anything positive about the city.

Now that is an example of a great comment that is critical and constructive and also adds to the conversation

Steel - No, saying 'could' would've made the assertion meaningless. It's demonstrably not true anyway, because gaustad has indeed written in BR comments that there are things of value in Buffalo.

Do you ever just admit you're wrong about anything?

It was not a fact, and it was not even a valid opinion because it's provably false.

Chocolate,

By the way I have never posted anything that could be described as hatred for Cheektowaga. If that is your interpretation of that post I am sorry but Cheektowaga was simply used as an example of how our physical environment has been degraded by current architectural and planning standards. I pointed out in the comments thread that the same kind of thing has happened in the city. A large number (probably a majority) of my posts have been directed at bad things done in the city as well and yet you do not describe them as "hatred" I have never seen you come running to the defense of the city when I point out the bad stuff. Is Cheektowaga somehow sacrosanct?

It is odd that you point out racism and prejudice in your posts while lumping groups of people such as rich yuppie whites together as some kind of unified block. Inconsistent, wouldn't you say? In a way you sound like someone BRO would welcome as a writer. It is absolutely true that BRO is looking for a broad spectrum of writers from throughout the city. You can participate or you can hide behind dull insults and attacks.

OK Atwater you are right. Still does not make Jesus penis comments valid

I'll take the Atwater House challange...Goose...find me a postive comment that you made about Buffalo in the last...let's say two months...maybe something about how the people in Buffalo are so obsessed with the Sabres that they don't read books...that was a good one!

How freakin lame. Can't even just admit he's wrong one (1) time and leave it at that, without bringing up some irrelevant point I didn't even mention and had nothing to do with. Jesus comments? WTF, that was nothing to do with gaustad either. Seriously, pardon my rant and count this as my Strike One if you want but this guy has a serious ego problem attributing his opinion as interchangable with fact, and then when totally nailed on it he has to right after backing down lash out about some 3rd party's unrelated 'Jesus comment' as if that justifies him writing something blatantly flase.

How about 'Sorry gaustad, I wrote something wrong about you.' Period. End of comment. Too hard?

It is fact that one could come to the conclusion that Buffalo is a worthless pit if you read the comments of Gaustad, Nonono etc. If not 100% negative with regard to the city their comments are a high percentage so.

But let's just leave it at this I retract the statement and I have never attributed the penis statement to Gaustad. It was used as an example only.

I don't see anywhere in this thread anything by Elena about deleting opposing views. Why would you bring that up?

Yesteray - Positive Comment 1 City Gives AM&A's Developer deadline

"This is a beautiful building. We needs it urban fabric to mainitain the continuity on Main St. It would be a mistake if this were demolished. Some day a developer will turn it inot lofts. I guarantee it. "

Positive Comment #2 Wendy's has a new owner Jan 26th, 13:19

Carmina and Wood - did a bang up job on this building, it is really beautiful.

when I moved home 5 yrs ago ( seemed like it was yesterday) I looked at purchasing this building and the attached buidlings including Wendy's.

I belive the asking price at the time was 300k for the entire block. It is a very unique block.

The Carmina buidling has an excellent open lay out on all floors that I wanted to used for one huge loft or two loft apartemtns per floor. Elevator takes you right to your loft. Pretty neat. roof top is very cool with a nice view.

This buidling would also make an excellent call center or executive office space....which is needed downtown.......parking right next door too.

It is a surprise to hear that the bottom floors are not occupied. If somehhow they were able to fill them, a nice retail space or restaraunt downstairs would be easily supported.

I view this as a missed opportunity for myself. It is a great location and will someday be worth a lot of money. I remeber as s kid eating at Wendy's before the train. Main st was packed with people in suits, lot of action there. too bad.

Aside from the fact that the sub way destroyed business on main, I am however shocked that business has never returned. It is a very nice street with the trolly; plenty of room to walk with children, no cars speeding by - very quaint actually.

Main st could be so much more than it is in its current landscape. I sincerely believe if there was an "empire zone" within an "empire zone," sort of speak, Main st would fill up in no time.

Perhaps this is a more economical way to revitalize Main street other than spening another 45 mill to bring traffic back.

Positive Comment #3

Columbus Park-Prospect Hill Lands On '7 To Save' List

Jan 24th, 01:16

Buffalo has some great projects in the works.

1.) Dulski - great project, good press

2.) Court House - great design

3.) New Condos on Water Front! Very cool

4.) Several new lofts built downtown - Webb is my fav!

5.) Club 31 almost finished - more 5 star dining downtown

6.) Peace Bridge looks like it will finally get done, somewhere

7.) Blue Cross building - done, even if ugly

8.) Aud coming down soon, finally

9.) Prop Values def gone up on west side - huge

10.) Statler will be stabilized for a flip, someone will take this project, it makes sense

Reality:

[expletive deleted] Bashar Issa - he is young and dumb. the sooner he leaves the better. The project has been started, it makes sense, and someone will finish it. We can force him into leaving with violations, law suits, etc.

Although people have said I am negative, this is the first time in my life I have seen cranes dowtown- it really looks like something is happening in Buffalo, especially as the rest of the world gets slammed on real estate.

We are moving in the right directions, finally, and that is important. momentum will pick up, it just takes a catalyst.

God Bless you all, we are in this together and Buffalo will prevail. If it is the last thing I do, I will make sure Buffalo rises again!

gaustad - You shouldn't need to even defend yourself against what Steel wrote.

It was a clear cut case of 'making unsubstantiated claims about an individual' which according to what ECB wrote in the article is now frowned on here - perhaps ironic because it's BR author Steel making an unsubstantiated claim about a BR commenter and refusing to just admit it, let alone simply apologize like a grown up.

Steel, apologies not needed. I guess some of us have thicker skin than others.

Elena, thank you for your suggestion. I will contact a realtor tomorrow, although I am already familiar with most of my alternatives....and right now, I can't take the risk.

FACT:

I don't know several of the people on this site that support my beliefs. They have taken it upon themselves to agree with my crticisms, including nonono. I also receive praise by email for many of my postings. In a weird sort of way, some of us have developed a following. Call it a coup d'état....

This group that you speak of appears very articulate and successful. Judging from what I have read, they understand business and seem very frustrated that they are being held back by people like yourself.

As you can see, I like Buffalo, that is why I don't move, yet. However, some of us just simply demand more out of life than celebrating the opening of the local beer merchant.

We want real change and strive to make real money. Perhaps you should pay closer attention to some of these posts that you banter on about, you might learn something,

Some on this site take these posts way too seriously! Instead of worrying about if someone made a racist comment or verbally attacked someone why don't the comments give concrete ways to do more business and help the economy? I would like to see some of the "concerned" parties invite some blacks from the east side to their place on elmwood for dinner or maybe some puerto ricans as well - i hope you get the picture. I don't see much diversity on elmwood avenue, but some on this site pretend to be so concerned with everyone's feelings and well being. I think chocolate sake makes some great points about this as well. I doubt the bro staff hosts many disadvantaged city children/adults up at their canadian summer houses or the canoe club?

Eisenm11 - now go polish your tin foil stanley cup !

gaustad - You're indeed one to rise above the fray, and that refuting was nicely done even though it shouldn't have been needed.

ChocolateShake - always impressive and you'd make a very good blogger here or elsewhere.

Thank you Atwater. I also admire you as a person and fellow blogger. It is always refreshing to read your comments.

ChocolateShake, you are an intellectual. I question weather the people you argue with even comprehend your words.

I could take most of the comments, even chuckle at the stupity of many. I have enjoyed the tounge in cheek and the dark hummor. What annoyes me are the few that are down right rude or attack other people using names but hiding themselves behind a false ID, using BRO as a bashing site, too afraid or sissy enough not to use their own name, knowing full well they are being slanderous...

oh yea...love the troll doll

Hah Ha!! Well done Goose...that wasn't too hard...Now Shake, let's talk about how your promoting Buffalo by admonishing anyone who hasn't hopped on the 6:30 Southwest flight to Pheonix for a "better life" in the desert

Did BTD say he was "Done with this site"...let's see how long that lasts...

BRO has written plenty of articles about places outside of the city limits. Suzy Q's BBQ, Torches, O'Connell's, Amigo's, Ava Cado's.

Pundit, (and Chocolate too),

I wrote one story critical of the suburbs. ONE! I have written 100's , H U N D R E D S ! of stories critical of the city and yet you focus on the one critical suburban story as if no one should ever say anything bad about the suburbs. Pundit, read through your comments on that post. You agreed with my assertion that that area of Cheektowaga is ugly and you defended it as the way it should be. As if there is no room for improvement. Why no defense of the city when I say mean things about Buffalo?

Newell recently focused on the horribly ugly intersection of Elmwood and Hertel. I did not see either you or Chocolate jumping in complaining about how Newell was being mean toward the city. So we can say bad things about the city but nothing bad about the suburbs? Check that - Suburbs perfect, no critical commentary allowed, city is crap - pile on as you like.

By the way I also did a positive piece on suburban areas which focused on the beaches (American and Canadian) in WNY. I don't recall you commenting on that one. Unfortunately I can not find the link.

But anyway, Why does it bother you if Newell's or my interests are in the city? I really don't get it. I post what I want. No one tells me what I can and can not write. You write about mean car dealerships and advocate for waterfront highways. I am interested in urbanism and architecture. To each his own. If people like it they like it if they don't, they don't. I like the city and that is what I write about. Personnaly, I find most of your posts dull and I just skip over them. I don't spend all day complaining about the dull posts or lack of any posts at all on most of the WNYMedia pages. Maybe you should bring Nonono and BTD on board and liven things up a bit over there.

Buffalopundit: Do you think that BRO should be required to post about One Eyed Jacks and Kentucky Greg's? As much as I love Kentucky Greg's, I appreciate that BRO focuses on the city. That may seem exclusionary to some people, but if not for BRO, where would I go to hear about what's happening in Buffalo other than drive-by shootings, arsons, and the latest poverty ranking? Focusing on positive things is not the same as ignoring negative things, and I don't think there's any shortage of sources for negative news about Buffalo for those who are interested. Honestly, I don't think the suburbs need any additional promotion within WNY. Also, I don't agree that BRO focuses only on the Elmwood Village. There have been tons of posts about businesses and happenings in other areas, like my hometown of Black Rock.

Nearly all of the blogs and forums about other topics that I visit regularly have some form of moderation. It's not at all unusual. Some are better about it than others. I know of some blogs that have banned any sort of negative comments directed at the site or its writers. That's just ridiculous, and if things get to that point on BRO, then I'd really be concerned.

Buffalopundit: To clarify, I should have inserted another break in my post; it wasn't meant to be entirely in response to you. It's funny that you mentioned Block Club. I was going to say I was glad that Buffalo Rising isn't like Block Club, but I resisted the temptation to attack it. Anyway, it's quite possibly the worst publication I've ever read. I find it to be excessively advertising-filled, poorly written, and uninteresting. But hey, it's all-WNY-inclusive and it's glossy, so I guess it's good.

The reason I don't think the suburbs need any additional promotion within WNY has nothing to do with media exposure, and everything to do with the general mindset and experiences of a large number of people in the region. In a couple of the places I've worked, I've been one of only two or three people (out of 75-100) who lived in the city. From talking to many of these people, I've found that a good number rarely if ever venture into the city, and some of their perceptions of Buffalo are just mind-boggling. I'd have to think that if we're a region of 1 million, and Buffalo has 275,000 people, the "Sandy Beach People" or some less-extreme form of them are probably in the majority.

Pundit,

I can honestly say that Newell has never given me any rules for posting. As for pitting populations against each other you should reread you own posts and I did not say I skip over your Blog. I said I skip over most of what you write. I don't dwell on the stories that don't interest me.

To get back on point your debate and counterpoint in the Cheektowaga post was perfectly legitimate and bares no relationship at all to the problem posts that have been rampant on BRO lately. The only reason I am lumping you with the racist Neanderthals ( Your phrase) is that you have come to their defense. I am certain that if they treated WNYM to the same type barrage you would find need to do something about it.

STEEL, you don't seem too popular right about now to anyone, why?

Eisenm11 - I don't believe I have ever heard anything significant out of you, other than one or two sentences crticizing others posts becuase you don't agree with content.

I know Buffalopundit hates me

Did the number of comments here beat out the number of comments on the last Bass Pro story? Amazing.

At this point some of the back and forth comments here seem childish and pointless (buffpundit). BRO has a right to post whatever they want. Sometimes I love the stories, sometimes I hate them. Sometimes I'm very intrested in what STEEL writes, sometimes I think he's a dummy. I feel the same way about CNN, Newsweek, Buff News. WHO CARES!

Read it, agree with it, disagree with. Learn from it, disregard it. If you are that disgusted by BRO policies or what they write about or the caliber of journalism.......then move on.

"This group that you speak of appears very articulate and successful. Judging from what I have read, they understand business and seem very frustrated that they are being held back by people like yourself. "

This was a point of mine above. What I can't understand is why they need to reduce themselves a majority of the time if for nothing more than to incite or derail the conversation.

Also why after 150 post are people still complaining about deleting opposing comments. opposing comments are all over every post. This is not the issue. To over-react and reduce it to such it pointless except to stir up more crap. Opposing views are welcome and add to the conversation. It's the "Buffalo will always suck" "Leave now Loser's" "to the side walk!"(or current catch phrases thrown around to incite/mock) etc etc that deter the conversation.

Though pretty much everything that is to be said, pry has been said here. Shall see what future posts hold for us...

@Pundit

OK I stand corrected

i would say this post must have set some sort of record....until you figure most of them are just buffalo pundit.

.

BTD, ECB and others posting links should keep in mind RisingDamp666 wrote that he might email a link of this thread to his grandmother in Charlotte. Careful you don't cause him any embarrassment on behalf of BR or Buffalo.

Ok very good. That should distract her. Carry on then.

Wow. Trolls come in all shapes and sizes.

Print the bad news, as long as n-n-n takes responsibility for content and fact-checking like he/she holds everyone else to. Hold AA accountable.

Wow, almost 200 comments and you're all still at it!

There are obviously a lot of intelligent people who read and comment on the posts here at BRO. Just imagine what could have been done in the name of progress if the amount of time, energy and brainpower devoted to commenting on BRO was directed elsewhere. Talk (commenting) is cheap and useless for the most part. The only thing it does is make us feel a little better about ourselves for having been heard. It doesn't change a thing about the real issues at hand for Buffalo.

Let's not place an exaggerated importance on the value of commenting on a blog. It's all just a lot of hot air, really.

nonono,

will you come out and tell us who you are already, tough guy?

Very clever, al-alo! But thanks for demonstrating my point. :)

Go Bills!

nonono - I see that you want to be king, but wouldn't that conflict the fact that you are already a raging queen?

nonono - I see above that you want to be king, but wouldn't that conflict with the fact that you are already a raging queen?

Surprise surprise. They've done this for a long time anyway. Now they're just being public about it. I'm done with "BR"

I agree with a policy of deleting, "in its entirety, any post that is off-topic, slanderous, has foul language, obscenity, violence or attacks anyone on the basis of gender or ethnicity."

It's a privlege, not a right to use this site.

Please excuse the typo, should be "privilege."

This cable connection doesn't always work that great in South Florida.

And from what I remember in law school, TRUTH is a defense to SLANDER.